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CONTACT INFORMATION:
Our administration office at 10777 Main Street in Fairfax is open during regular business hours 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday. Clinic services are not offered at this location.

Rabies and Animal Bites

Rabies is a disease caused by a virus that is nearly 100 percent fatal in mammals, including humans. The virus is present in some wild animals and can be spread to unvaccinated pets and humans. The rabies virus is found in the saliva and central nervous tissue of an infected animal. The virus is usually spread through a bite or scratch, but also can be passed along when an infected animal’s saliva or central nervous tissue enters an open wound, mouth, nose or eyes of another mammal.

Report Animal Bites and Rabid Animals

If you, your family or your pet is bitten or scratched by a wild, stray or unvaccinated pet or if you suspect that an animal has rabies, report it to the Fairfax County Animal Protection Police at 703-691-2131, TTY 711.

Animal Confinement Clearance Form

What You Need to Know About Rabies

A number of recent animal attacks in Fairfax County have put rabies on the minds of many residents. What should you do to protect yourself and your pets from rabies? Our Rabies Program Manager Bryant Bullock shares important tips and information.

Rabies in Animals

Only mammals can get rabies. Birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians cannot get rabies. The most frequently reported wild animals with rabies in Fairfax are raccoons, foxes, skunks and bats. Rabbits, squirrels, rats and mice rarely get rabies. Cats are the most common domestic animal diagnosed with rabies.

Rabid Animals in Fairfax County

Each year Fairfax County identifies between 40 and 60 animals infected with rabies (also known as "rabid" animals).

Signs of a Rabid Animal

Rabid animals may show strange behavior such as being aggressive, attacking other animals or humans for no reason, or acting tame (this is not a normal behavior in wild animals). Animals infected with rabies may not be able to eat, drink or swallow. As a result, the animal may drool because they cannot swallow their saliva. The animal may stagger or stumble when moving and can become paralyzed. Rabid animals will typically die within a week of developing symptoms.

Protect Yourself, Your Family and Your Pets

Vaccination.

Your veterinarian should vaccinate all your dogs, cats, ferrets and horses against rabies. Make sure to follow their instructions on revaccination.

What to Do if You or Your Family Are Attacked by a Wild, Stray or Unvaccinated Pet

Immediately scrub the wounds with soap and running water for 5 to 10 minutes.

Do not try and kill or capture the attacking animal. However, if you have already killed the animal, avoid further contact even though it is dead.

Write down a complete description of the attacking animal (e.g., location of the attack and current location of the animal, size, color, unique color patterns, if it was wearing a collar and, if so, what was the color, owner contact information) so that the animal control authorities can properly investigate and take action.

Seek medical attention at your family doctor or emergency room. Your doctor will check to see if you need rabies post-exposure prophylaxis.

Report the animal attack to the Fairfax County Police Department Animal Protection Services at 703-691-2131. They will help confine or test the attacking animal for rabies.

What to Do if Your Pet Is Attacked by a Wild, Stray or Unvaccinated Pet

Do not examine your pet’s wounds without wearing gloves.

While wearing gloves, wash your pet’s wounds with running soap and water. Be sure to wash off all the attacking animal’s saliva.

Do not let your pet come into contact with other animals, pets or people until speaking with a member of the Fairfax County Police Department Animal Protection Services.

Report the animal attack to the Fairfax County Police Department Animal Protection Services at 703-691-2131. They will help confine or test the attacking animal for rabies and provide you with additional information about how you will need to watch your pet for signs of rabies.